New ships welcome provided they are not flying a flag of convenience

I NOTE with satisfaction some fairly recent comments by Minister of State for Transport Noel Ahern on the news that seven Irish-based shipping groups are investing about €600 million in the expansion of our shipping industry.

While not all of these shipping groups are Irish, it is great to see this investment as it is a vote of confidence in our economy, as well as the very welcome creation of jobs.

I understand that in the first six months of this year, 21 new or second- hand ships have been acquired and a further 27 ships are expected to arrive in the next two years.